Post office closure plan revealed

Campaigners say rural communities will be hit hardest

Royal Mail is planning to axe almost 40 post offices across County Durham, Teesside and North Yorkshire.

The closures are part of wider proposals to reduce the number of branches nationally by up to 2,500.

Royal mail said 99% of people will see no change in services or will have to travel no more than a mile to their nearest branch.

But opponents claim the move will have a severe impact on communities, especially those in rural areas.

Adrian Wales, Post Office Ltd's network development manager for the North East, said: "Taking the decision to close any Post Office branch is always very difficult and we know it will cause concern to many of our customers.

"We want to ensure that everyone who uses, relies on, or has any concern with Post Office services is both fully aware of the proposed changes and able to give views on them.

Areas facing post office closures Darlington - 6 Hartlepool - 4 Middlesbrough - 3 Spennymoor - 3 Bishop Auckland - 3 Stockton - 3 Northallerton - 2 Richmond - 2 Barnard Castle - 2 Newton Aycliffe - 2 Saltburn - 2 Billingham - 2 Catterick - 1 Shildon - 1 Redcar - 1

"We believe these proposals offer the best prospect for a sustainable way forward for Post Office services in this area."

Two additional post offices in Northallerton are proposed to be replaced by outreach services, such as mobile facilities.

Judith Donovan, chair of industry watchdog, Postwatch in the north of England, said: "Postwatch accepts the rationale for change. It is important that this happens in a way that minimises customer inconvenience and confusion.

"That means Post Office Ltd's decisions must be sensible and public consultation meaningful. Our priority is to ensure this is the case."

Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman said she was "extremely concerned" at the plans.

She said: "I fear that these closures will reduce the quality of the local postal service, and leave people more dependent on car use.

"They will inevitably be felt most by those living in rural areas, and the infrequent nature of some local bus services will make it much harder for people to use the post office."

The plans will go out for a six-week public consultation.